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words from an inspiration

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

picture taken by me in Napa Valley, California

I’m 26, had 4
different jobs since college and still I wonder, “what will I be when I grow up?”
I started out college “knowing” I wanted to do Public Relations with a
side of Spanish. Then I hated it. Press releases, product comparisons – both made
me want to vom. I should’ve switch
majors for sure but I stuck it out and graduated with a PR degree. I got a job as a “translator,” that’s what my
resume says at least. I really did do a
lot of translation but I also did a lot of other “stuff”… so I kept looking for
“my dream job.” Then I found it – a sales
person. Yes, something I could do. Except I was selling Anheuser Busch products…
something I knew little about. I mean I love
a cold Bud Light at a Wolfpack tailgate, don’t get me wrong, but I was not the
best sales rep for beer. But
nonetheless, I was excited and eager to prove myself. Six months later I finally accepted the fact
that I was terrible at my job and was
only hurting myself. My hot boyfriend
(and now husband) had heard me mention a few times that I should’ve majored in
education so he convinced me to study like crazy and go back to school;
eventually getting my Masters in Teaching.
So there it was; my dream job – a 2nd grade Reading Teacher –
but still I wanted more. I wanted to
teach English as a Second Language and use my long years of studying Spanish.

So
life switched gears and moved us to Wilmington and here I am; an English as a
Second Language Teacher and I really do love it.I love my job.I love my kids.But – you guessed it.I’m on to the next.I want to do more.Prove more.Be more.That’s not to say I want a career change like
in the past – no definitely not.And
that’s not to say that I want a change next year or even in five years.But it’s in my blood to constantly look to
the future.I can’t help it.Ever since I was a little girl I was told “I
can do anything I want in life,” and that is what I’m doing.So in 5 years maybe I will get my PhD and
become a professor.Or maybe I will
start up that Literacy non-profit that has been brewing in my head.Who knows, maybe I’ll finally start up my
event planning business against all odds.But the thing is that despite what my career holds, I do know one thing –
the woman I want to become.I look back
and realize it didn’t’ matter what I was doing, it mattered who I was.None of the other stuff makes a difference if I’m not a
person of respect and integrity.So
instead of focusing on the next big career or what I hope to accomplish
professionally, I choose to focus on a better me.A me more like God.A heart more like Jesus.A friend I want to have.An ear that listens without judging.A laugh that is loud and sincere.And a voice that speaks kindness and truth
and not gossip.The rest will take care of
itself.Because in the end, it’s not
what I was that will be remembered – it’s who
I was.And that is the legacy I want to
leave.

So
Ms. Von Furstenberg – you go girl. You
are a woman of grace and dedication and everything else seemed to work out for
the best. Oh, and your timeless wrap dress? Perfection.

photo credit: Annie Leibovitz found herephoto taken on the wedding day of Diane Von Furstenberg and Barry Diller in 2001